Press Releases

Consumers across America rely on the nation’s maritime shipping industry. To maintain this essential logistics system and keep consumer prices low, Reps. Mike Ezell (MS-04) and Kevin Mullin (CA-15)  introduced the bipartisan Dredging Coordination Improvement Act.

As cargo and passenger ships increase in size, it’s become even more important for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge shipping channels – the underwater excavation process that enables large cargo and passenger ships to safely traverse waterways that are too shallow. More than 400 ports and 25,000 miles of navigation channels need to be dredged on a regular basis to ensure shipping vessels can reach their destinations and deliver goods to consumers.

The Army Corps ultimately decides which channels to prioritize for dredging, and while non-federal stakeholders, such as ports rely heavily on these projects, they are not always adequately consulted and can be left in the dark when there are foreseeable delays. Uncertainty around dredging timelines and project delays disrupt supply chains, costing ports, shipping companies – and ultimately consumers – hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

The Dredging Coordination Improvement Act would streamline coordination among stakeholders, particularly between the Army Corps and local partners, prioritize dredging to facilitate commerce and navigation, and increase transparency between the federal government and ports.

“I’m proud to co-lead the Dredging Coordination Improvement Act because communities along the Gulf Coast deserve a system that works with them—not around them. By strengthening communication, prioritizing commercial navigation, and giving our local partners the information they need to plan ahead, this bill will help keep our waterways open, our economy moving, and our coastal communities strong,” Ezell said.

“America’s maritime infrastructure and commercial shipping industry is essential to the economy here in the San Francisco Bay Area and across our entire country. Ports and consumers rely on the federal government to dredge waterways to ensure ships and the goods they carry arrive efficiently. Dredging delays can cause cost increases and longer wait times for building materials, household appliances, food, and so many other goods that we all rely on,” Mullin said. “This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that ports and supply chains can operate smoothly. By improving coordination and communication, we are cutting unnecessary delays that cost businesses and consumers alike.”

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Requiring the Army Corps to consult with stakeholders on the scope and timeline of maintenance dredging projects;
• Prioritizing maintenance dredging in commercially and navigationally critical waters over areas used primarily for recreational purposes;
• Ensuring timely communication with non-federal sponsors regarding any changes to project timelines; and
• Increase transparency of federal funding availability to help non-federal sponsors plan in advance.

Read the full text of the Dredging Coordination Improvement Act here.